Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Thursday told the media how George Bush
thrice sought his help in the war on Iraq, and how he refused the American President.

"The US President George Bush has spoken to me three times saying that
India must help the USA as Sadaam Hussein had left him with no option but to
go for the attack," he told journalists after a dedication programme of
the Chakara Nala Patni Watershed Management Plan prepared by the Deendayal Research
Institute run by Nanaji Deshmukh here.

Vajpayee told Bush that India believed war was not a solution to any problem
and so could not help. India is also trying to consolidate the support of many
countries to prevent escalation of the battle between US and Iraq, Vajpayee
said.

"I have written to the heads of many countries including China, Russia,
France and USA as we are very seriously concerned with this war which goes against
the United Nations," Vajpayee said.

Vajpayee has said in in an all-party meeting that though India does not support
the war, there is no need for harsh words.

He also asked the people of the country to be prepared for adverse repercussions
of the war between US and Iraq, which will have repercussions on India.

Asked about the killing of 24 Pandits in Pulwama, the the Prime Minister said
this was an act of desperation by terrorists.